By Hojun Choi
A North Texas school district is moving toward the termination of a teacher who was recently arrested in connection with a child sex-trafficking case in Dallas.
Gershon Caston, 38, and three others were arrested and accused of multiple crimes, including compelling prostitution under age 18 and trafficking a child, Dallas police announced last week. His bail is $450,000, according to the Dallas County jail website.
In a letter Thursday, Red Oak ISD officials said Caston was a teacher at the district. He was hired by the district in May and was scheduled to start teaching at Red Oak Middle School in August, said Beth Trimble a spokeswoman for the school district. Red Oak is located about 19 miles south of downtown Dallas.
At a special-called school board meeting Monday, Red Oak trustees voted 7-0 to suspend Caston without pay and to notify him of his proposed termination.
In a written statement Monday, school officials said they are “moving swiftly through due process to terminate his employment and file the appropriate actions against him” with the Texas Education Agency and the State Board for Educator Certification.
Caston helped with strength and conditioning camps during the summer, Trimble said.
“We had no incidents during that time,” she added.
No other staff member or student is believed to be involved with the sex-trafficking investigation, Trimble said.
“We continue to reiterate that our prayers are for the victim and hope our staff and students and their families are having conversations with their children,” Trimble said.
Police have said the sex trafficking crimes Caston has been accused of occurred this month and in June. Caston worked at multiple North Texas school districts, according to a KTVT-TV (Channel 11) report.
Caston got his Texas Educator Certificate in February 2021 to teach grades 4 through 8 and special education, state records showed. His certificate was set to expire at the end of January 2027.
To find help or resources related to human trafficking, people can contact the Texas Human Trafficking Resource Center by calling 1-888-373-7888 (TTY: 711) or texting 233733.
| This story, originally published in The Dallas Morning News, is reprinted as part of a collaborative partnership between The Dallas Morning News and Texas Metro News. The partnership seeks to boost coverage of Dallas’ communities of color, particularly in southern Dallas- at the bottom. |
